Gas burner assembly

ABSTRACT

A gas burner assembly includes a burner base and a bottom plate. The burner base includes a round burner and an elongated burner. The bottom plate is mounted to the burner base. A Venturi mixing tube of the round burner is positioned or disposed within a collar of the bottom plate.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to burner assemblies, such as burner assemblies for range appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Range appliances generally include a cooktop portion and an oven portion. The cooktop portion of certain range appliances includes a griddle burner for heating large cookware, such as griddles and fish poachers. Griddle burners provide flame ports along a length of the griddle burner in order to more uniformly or evenly heat large cookware on the cooktop portion. However, griddle burners have certain drawbacks. For example, griddle burners generally include relatively large cast parts that are mounted to each other. Limiting or eliminating gaps between such components and leaks through the gaps can be difficult. Furthermore, testing to quantify gaps between such components can be difficult.

Accordingly, a burner assembly with features for assisting with limiting leaks from the burner assembly would be useful. In particular, a burner assembly with features for limiting leaks from the burner assembly and for assisting with testing for leaks from the burner assembly would be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter provides a gas burner assembly. The gas burner assembly includes a burner base and a bottom plate. The burner base includes a round burner and an elongated burner. The bottom plate is mounted to the burner base. A Venturi mixing tube of the round burner is positioned or disposed within a collar of the bottom plate. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In a first exemplary embodiment, a gas burner assembly is provided. The gas burner assembly includes a burner base and a bottom plate. The burner base has a round burner and an elongated burner. The round burner is positioned at a middle portion of the elongated burner. The burner base also defines a Venturi mixing tube of the round burner. The bottom plate is mounted to the burner base such that the bottom plate and the burner base define a fuel chamber therebetween. The bottom plate also has a collar. An end portion of the Venturi mixing tube of the round burner is positioned within the collar of the bottom plate.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a gas burner assembly is provided. The gas burner assembly includes a burner base and a bottom plate. The burner base has a round burner and an elongated burner. The round burner is positioned at a middle portion of the elongated burner. A Venturi mixing tube of the round burner extends from the burner base. A bottom plate is mounted to the burner base such that the bottom plate and the burner base define a fuel chamber therebetween. A collar also extends from the bottom plate. The Venturi mixing tube of the round burner is positioned within the collar of the bottom plate. The collar extends to or past a distal end of the Venturi mixing tube of the round burner.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a front, perspective view of a range appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a top, plan view of the exemplary range appliance of FIG. 1 and a burner assembly of the exemplary range appliance.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a burner assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 4 provides a perspective, section view of the exemplary burner assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 provides a perspective, section view of a burner assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 6 provides a section view of the exemplary burner assembly of FIG. 5 with a seal testing system mounted to the exemplary burner assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 provides a front, perspective view of a range appliance 100 as may be employed with the present subject matter. FIG. 2 provides a top, plan view of range appliance 100. Range appliance 100 includes an insulated cabinet 110. Cabinet 110 defines an upper cooking chamber 120 and a lower cooking chamber 122. Thus, range appliance 100 is generally referred to as a double oven range appliance. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, range appliance 100 is provided by way of example only, and the present subject matter may be used in any suitable range appliance, e.g., a single oven range appliance. Thus, the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is not intended to limit the present subject matter to any particular cooking chamber configuration or arrangement.

Upper and lower cooking chambers 120 and 122 are configured for the receipt of one or more food items to be cooked. Range appliance 100 includes an upper door 124 and a lower door 126 rotatably attached to cabinet 110 in order to permit selective access to upper cooking chamber 120 and lower cooking chamber 122, respectively. Handles 128 are mounted to upper and lower doors 124 and 126 to assist a user with opening and closing doors 124 and 126 in order to access cooking chambers 120 and 122. As an example, a user can pull on handle 128 mounted to upper door 124 to open or close upper door 124 and access upper cooking chamber 120. Glass window panes 130 provide for viewing the contents of upper and lower cooking chambers 120 and 122 when doors 124 and 126 are closed and also assist with insulating upper and lower cooking chambers 120 and 122. Heating elements (not shown), such as electric resistance heating elements, gas burners, microwave heating elements, halogen heating elements, or suitable combinations thereof, are positioned within upper cooking chamber 120 and lower cooking chamber 122 for heating upper cooking chamber 120 and lower cooking chamber 122.

Range appliance 100 also includes a cooktop 140. Cooktop 140 is positioned at or adjacent a top portion of cabinet 110. Thus, cooktop 140 is positioned above upper and lower cooking chambers 120 and 122. Cooktop 140 includes a top panel 142. By way of example, top panel 142 may be constructed of glass, ceramics, enameled steel, and combinations thereof

For range appliance 100, a utensil holding food and/or cooking liquids (e.g., oil, water, etc.) may be placed onto grates 152 at a location of any of burner assemblies 144, 146, 148, 150. Burner assemblies 144, 146, 148, 150 provide thermal energy to cooking utensils on grates 152. As shown in FIG. 1, burners assemblies 144, 146, 148, 150 can be configured in various sizes so as to provide e.g., for the receipt of cooking utensils (i.e., pots, pans, etc.) of various sizes and configurations and to provide different heat inputs for such cooking utensils. Grates 152 are supported on a top surface 158 of top panel 142. Range appliance 100 also includes a griddle burner 160 positioned at a middle portion of top panel 142, as may be seen in FIG. 2. A griddle may be positioned on grates 152 and heated with griddle burner 160.

A user interface panel 154 is located within convenient reach of a user of the range appliance 100. For this exemplary embodiment, user interface panel 154 includes knobs 156 that are each associated with one of burner assemblies 144, 146, 148, 150 and griddle burner 160. Knobs 156 allow the user to activate each burner assembly and determine the amount of heat input provided by each burner assembly 144, 146, 148, 150 and griddle burner 160 to a cooking utensil located thereon. User interface panel 154 may also be provided with one or more graphical display devices that deliver certain information to the user such as e.g., whether a particular burner assembly is activated and/or the level at which the burner assembly is set.

Although shown with knobs 156, it should be understood that knobs 156 and the configuration of range appliance 100 shown in FIG. 1 is provided by way of example only. More specifically, user interface panel 154 may include various input components, such as one or more of a variety of touch-type controls, electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. The user interface panel 154 may include other display components, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a burner assembly 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. FIG. 4 provides a perspective, section view of burner assembly 200. Burner assembly 200 may be used in any suitable appliance. For example, burner assembly 200 may be used in range appliance 100 (FIG. 2) as griddle burner 160. Burner assembly 200 includes features for assisting with heating large cookware, such as griddles, as well as smaller cookware, such as round pots. Burner assembly 200 is discussed in greater detail below.

As may be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, burner assembly 200 includes a round burner 210 and an elongated burner 220. During operation of burner assembly 200, a user may utilize only round burner 210 or both round burner 210 and elongated burner 220. As an example, the user may heat a round pot with just round burner 210 in a first heating mode. As another example, the user may heat a griddle or fish poacher with both round burner 210 and elongated burner 220. Such selective operation of round burner 210 and elongated burner 220 assist the user with heating variously sized articles uniformly and/or evenly.

As may be seen in FIG. 4, round burner 210 includes a fuel inlet 212 and a plurality of flame ports 214. Flame ports 214 may be distributed or dispersed in a circular pattern or shape, e.g., in plane that is perpendicular to a vertical direction. Gaseous fuel, such as natural gas or propane, may flow into round burner 210 via or through fuel inlet 212 of round burner 210. The gaseous fuel may flow out of round burner 210 and be combusted at flame ports 214 of round burner 210. Round burner 210 also includes a cover plate 216 positioned over flame ports 214 of round burner 210. Fuel inlet 212 of round burner 210 includes a Venturi mixing tube 218 that assists with mixing gaseous fuel flowing into round burner 210, e.g., with air, in order to assist combustion of the gaseous fuel at flame ports 214 of round burner 210. Round burner 210 may be positioned or disposed at any suitable location on burner assembly 200. For example, round burner 210 may be positioned at a middle portion 224 of elongated burner 210.

Like round burner 210, elongated burner 220 also has a fuel inlet 222. In particular, burner assembly 200 may include a burner base 240 and a bottom plate 242. Bottom plate 242 is mounted to burner plate 240 and defines fuel inlet 222 of elongated burner 220. Bottom plate 242 may be mounted to burner base 240 in any suitable manner. For example, bottom plate 242 may be screwed, staked or riveted to burner base 240, e.g., about a perimeter of bottom plate 242.

Burner base 240 and bottom plate 242 also define a fuel chamber 244 therebetween. Gaseous fuel, such as natural gas or propane, may flow into elongated burner 220 via or through fuel inlet 222 of elongated burner 220. Fuel chamber 244 is positioned and disposed for receiving the gaseous fuel from fuel inlet 222 of elongated burner 220. As may be see in FIGS. 3 and 4, fuel inlet 222 of elongated burner 220 may be only a single passage or conduit.

As may be seen in FIG. 4, burner base 240 extends, e.g., linearly, between a first end portion 226 and a second end portion 228. Thus, first and second end portions 226, 228 of burner base 240 are spaced apart from each other. Round burner 210 (and middle portion 224 of elongated burner 220) may be positioned between first and second end portions 226, 228 of burner base 240. Burner base 240 also defines a first burner or plurality of flame ports 230 and a second burner or plurality of flame ports 232. First plurality of flame ports 230 is positioned at or adjacent first end portion 226 of burner base 240. Conversely, second plurality of flame ports 232 is positioned at or adjacent second end portion 228 of burner base 240. First and second pluralities of flame ports 230, 232 may be distributed or dispersed in a U pattern or shape, e.g., in plane that is perpendicular to a vertical direction, at first and second end portions 226, 228 of burner base 240, respectively.

Gaseous fuel from fuel inlet 222 of elongated burner 220 may flow through fuel chamber 244 to first and second pluralities of flame ports 230, 232. Thus, first and second pluralities of flame ports 230, 232 are in fluid communication with fuel inlet 222 of elongated burner 220 via fuel chamber 244, e.g., due to fuel chamber 244 extending between first and second pluralities of flame ports 230, 232 within burner base 240. At first and second pluralities of flame ports 230, 232, the gaseous fuel may be combusted in order to heat cookware and food items therein. Elongated burner 220 further includes a pair of cover plates 250. A first one of cover plates 250 is positioned at first end portion 226 of burner base 240 over first plurality of flame ports 230, and a second one of cover plates 250 is positioned at second end portion 228 of burner base 240 over second plurality of flame ports 232.

As may be seen in FIG. 4, fuel inlet 222 of elongated burner 220 includes a Venturi mixing tube 234. Venturi mixing tube 234 assists with mixing gaseous fuel flowing into elongated burner 220, e.g., with air, in order to assist combustion of the gaseous fuel at first and second pluralities of flame ports 230, 232 of elongated burner 220. Venturi mixing tube 234 of elongated burner 220 may be mounted to bottom plate 242 such that Venturi mixing tube 234 of elongated burner 220 extends from bottom plate 242 away from burner base 240, e.g., along a vertical direction. Thus, elongated burner 220 may be fed gaseous fuel only via Venturi mixing tube 234 of elongated burner 220 and round burner 210 may be fed gaseous fuel only via Venturi mixing tube 218 of round burner 210 such that burner assembly 200 only includes two Venturi mixing tubes 218, 234 to supply round burner 210 and both sections of elongated burner 220. Thus, burner assembly 200 does not include a t-joint to direct gaseous fuel to separate Venturi mixing tubes for first and second pluralities of flame ports 230, 232, in certain exemplary embodiments.

Bottom plate 242 also has a post or collar 246. Collar 246 is configured for receiving and/or supporting Venturi mixing tube 218 of round burner 210. In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, Venturi mixing tube 218 of round burner 210 is positioned or disposed within collar 246 of bottom plate 242. Venturi mixing tube 218 of round burner 210 may extend downwardly from burner base 240 such that Venturi mixing tube 218 of round burner 210 has a distal end 252 that is spaced from (e.g., positioned below) fuel chamber 244. Collar 246 extends downwardly from bottom plate 242 such that collar 246 has a distal end 254 spaced from (e.g., positioned below) fuel chamber 244. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, distal end 252 of the Venturi mixing tube 218 of round burner 210 is positioned within collar 246 of bottom plate 242. In particular, distal end 252 of the Venturi mixing tube 218 of round burner 210 may be positioned within collar 246 of bottom plate 242 such that distal end 252 of the Venturi mixing tube 218 of round burner 210 is spaced apart from (e.g., positioned above) distal end 254 of collar 246.

Positioning Venturi mixing tube 218 of round burner 210 within collar 246 of bottom plate 242 can assist with limiting or preventing fuel leaks from burner assembly 200 (e.g., from fuel chamber 244). As may be seen in FIG. 4, Venturi mixing tube 218 of round burner 210 may be received within collar 246 of bottom plate 242 such that Venturi mixing tube 218 of round burner 210 and collar 246 of bottom plate 242 define a seam or joint 256 therebetween. Thus, joint 256 may be positioned and/or formed where Venturi mixing tube 218 of round burner 210 meets collar 246 of bottom plate 242. Joint 256 extends between fuel chamber 244 and an interior volume of the Venturi mixing tube 218 of round burner 210 in order to provide a passage to Venturi mixing tube 218 of round burner 210 for fuel leaking from fuel chamber 244. Thus, fuel leaking from fuel chamber 244 may flow through joint 256 into Venturi mixing tube 218 of round burner 210.

As may be seen in FIG. 4, burner base 240 may define both round burner 210 and elongated burner 220. Thus, round burner 210 and elongated burner 220 may be formed from a single integral or continuous piece of material, such as aluminum alloy. It should be understood that, in alternative exemplary embodiments, round burner 210 and elongated burner 220 may be formed from separate or discrete piece of material that are mounted or secured to each other.

FIG. 5 provides a perspective, section view of a burner assembly 300 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. FIG. 6 provides a section view of exemplary burner assembly 300 with a seal testing system 340. Burner assembly 300 may be used in any suitable appliance. For example, burner assembly 300 may be used in range appliance 100 (FIG. 1) as griddle burner 160. Burner assembly 300 may be constructed in a similar manner to burner assembly 200 (FIG. 3) and may include the same or similar components.

As may be seen in FIG. 5, burner assembly 300 includes a burner base 324 and a bottom plate 326. Burner base 324 has a round burner 310 and an elongated burner 320. A Venturi mixing tube 314 of round burner 310 extends from burner base 324. Bottom plate 326 is mounted to burner base 324 such that burner base 324 and bottom plate 326 define a fuel chamber 346 therebetween. A collar 328 also extends from bottom plate 326. Venturi mixing tube 314 of round burner 310 is positioned within collar 328 of bottom plate 326. Collar 328 extends to or past, e.g., a distal end 316, of Venturi mixing tube 314 of round burner 310. In particular, Venturi mixing tube 314 of round burner 310 extends downwardly from burner base 324 such that distal end 316 of Venturi mixing tube 314 is spaced from (e.g., positioned below) fuel chamber 346, and collar 328 extends downwardly from bottom plate 326 such that collar 328 has a distal end 330 that is spaced from (e.g., positioned below) fuel chamber 346. Distal end 316 of the Venturi mixing tube 314 of round burner 310 may be positioned at (e.g., flush or coplanar with) distal end 330 of collar 328.

Positioning distal end 316 of the Venturi mixing tube 314 of round burner 310 at the distal end 330 of collar 328 can assist with limiting or preventing fuel leaks from burner assembly 300 (e.g., from fuel chamber 346). For example, fuel leaking from fuel chamber 346 may flow through a joint between the Venturi mixing tube 314 of round burner 310 and collar 328 of bottom plate 326 such that the leaking fuel is recovered into Venturi mixing tube 314 and does not escape burner assembly 300. In particular, the reduced pressure within Venturi mixing tube 314 when fuel and air are flowing through Venturi mixing tube 314 may draw the leaking fuel from the joint between the Venturi mixing tube 314 of round burner 310 and collar 328 of bottom plate 326 into Venturi mixing tube 314 in order to limit or prevent leaking fuel from escaping burner assembly 300.

Turning to FIG. 6, positioning distal end 316 of the Venturi mixing tube 314 of round burner 310 at the distal end 330 of collar 328 may also permit a seal testing system 340 to test or measure a quality of a connection between burner base 324 and bottom plate 326. For example, seal testing system 340 may include plugs 342 and a pump 344. Plugs 342 may block or hinder fluid from flowing through inlets and outlets of fuel chamber 346 (e.g., fuel inlet 312 of round burner 310, fuel inlet 322 of elongated burner 320, and exits from fuel chamber 346 to flame ports of elongated burner 320). Pump 344 may urge a fluid, such as air, into fuel chamber 346 in order to increase a pressure of the fluid within fuel chamber 346. The pressure or flow may be monitored over time in order to establish whether the connection between the burner base 324 and bottom plate 326 suitably seals the fuel chamber 346. For example, if the pressure within fuel chamber 346 remains relatively constant over a period of time, burner base 324 and bottom plate 326 are connected to each other in a manner that hinders fuel leaks out of fuel chamber 346 at the connection between the burner base 324 and bottom plate 326. Conversely, burner base 324 and bottom plate 326 may be connected to each other in manner that permits fuel leaks out of fuel chamber 346 at the connection between the burner base 324 and bottom plate 326 if the pressure within fuel chamber 346 drops substantially over the period of time. In alternative exemplary embodiments, the pressure may be held constant while flow is monitored to ensure fuel may not flow between burner base 324 and bottom plate 326.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A gas burner assembly, comprising: a burner base having a round burner and an elongated burner, the round burner positioned at a middle portion of the elongated burner, the burner base also defining a Venturi mixing tube of the round burner; a bottom plate mounted to the burner base such that the bottom plate and the burner base define a fuel chamber therebetween, the bottom plate also having a collar, an end portion of the Venturi mixing tube of the round burner positioned within the collar of the bottom plate.
 2. The gas burner assembly of claim 1, wherein the Venturi mixing tube of the round burner is received within the collar of the bottom plate such that the Venturi mixing tube of the round burner and the collar of the bottom plate define a joint therebetween, the joint extending between the fuel chamber and an interior volume of the Venturi mixing tube of the round burner.
 3. The gas burner assembly of claim 2, wherein fuel leaking from the fuel chamber flows through the joint into the Venturi mixing tube of the round burner.
 4. The gas burner assembly of claim 1, wherein the bottom plate is screwed, riveted or staked to the burner base.
 5. The gas burner assembly of claim 4, wherein the bottom plate has a perimeter, the bottom plate mounted to the burner base at the perimeter of the bottom plate.
 6. The gas burner assembly of claim 1, wherein the burner base and the bottom plate are formed with discrete material.
 7. The gas burner assembly of claim 1, wherein the Venturi mixing tube of the round burner extends downwardly from the burner base such that the Venturi mixing tube of the round burner has a distal end spaced from the fuel chamber, the collar extending downwardly from the bottom plate such that the collar has a distal end spaced from the fuel chamber, the distal end of the Venturi mixing tube of the round burner positioned at the distal end of the collar.
 8. The gas burner assembly of claim 1, wherein the Venturi mixing tube of the round burner extends downwardly from the burner base such that the Venturi mixing tube of the round burner has a distal end spaced from the fuel chamber, the collar extending downwardly from the bottom plate such that the collar has a distal end spaced from the fuel chamber, the distal end of the Venturi mixing tube of the round burner positioned within the collar such that the distal end of the Venturi mixing tube of the round burner is spaced apart from the distal end of the collar.
 9. The gas burner assembly of claim 1, wherein the bottom plate defines a Venturi mixing tube of the elongated burner.
 10. The gas burner assembly of claim 1, wherein the elongated burner extends between a first end portion and a second end portion, the round burner positioned between the first and second end portions of the elongated burner, the elongated burner having flame ports at the first and second end portions of the elongated burner.
 11. A gas burner assembly, comprising: a burner base having a round burner and an elongated burner, the round burner positioned at a middle portion of the elongated burner, a Venturi mixing tube of the round burner extending from the burner base; a bottom plate mounted to the burner base such that the bottom plate and the burner base define a fuel chamber therebetween, a collar also extending from the bottom plate, the Venturi mixing tube of the round burner positioned within the collar of the bottom plate, the collar extending to or past a distal end of the Venturi mixing tube of the round burner.
 12. The gas burner assembly of claim 11, wherein the Venturi mixing tube of the round burner is received within the collar of the bottom plate such that the Venturi mixing tube of the round burner and the collar of the bottom plate define a joint therebetween, the joint extending between the fuel chamber and an interior volume of the Venturi mixing tube of the round burner.
 13. The gas burner assembly of claim 12, wherein fuel leaking from the fuel chamber flows through the joint into the Venturi mixing tube of the round burner.
 14. The gas burner assembly of claim 11, wherein the bottom plate is screwed, riveted or staked to the burner base.
 15. The gas burner assembly of claim 14, wherein the bottom plate has a perimeter, the bottom plate mounted to the burner base at the perimeter of the bottom plate.
 16. The gas burner assembly of claim 11, wherein the burner base and the bottom plate are formed with discrete material.
 17. The gas burner assembly of claim 16, wherein the burner base and the bottom plate are discrete pieces of aluminum alloy.
 18. The gas burner assembly of claim 11, wherein the bottom plate defines a Venturi mixing tube of the elongated burner.
 19. The gas burner assembly of claim 11, wherein the elongated burner extends between a first end portion and a second end portion, the round burner positioned between the first and second end portions of the elongated burner, the elongated burner having flame ports at the first and second end portions of the elongated burner. 